"Nevertheless, we're confident the two Test matches will be memorable events.

"Ricky Ponting will play his first Test on home soil as captain of the Australian side, while Shane Warne, if fit, now has an opportunity to become the leading wicket-taker in the world. Glenn McGrath is also due to make his Test comeback."

Warne remains doubtful for the series, however, after breaking his hand while playing county cricket in England for Hampshire.

He currently lies third in the all-time Test wicket-taking list with 517 victims, two fewer thanm West Indian Courtney Walsh and 10 behind Muralitharan.